Wood-fired pizza set with mom at Withwich, a Namdong, Incheon

I went to Withwich (위드위치), a pasta and pizza spot near my home in Gu-wol-dong, Incheon — a brunch café I actually pass by a lot since I live nearby. It's one of those places you keep noticing around the neighborhood.

It sits in a pretty big spot near the Asiad Sunsuchon rotary, so you've probably seen it if you've passed by. I'd been a few times before, and this time I went with mom for lunch after a while.

Parking and location

We drove, and parking was available on basement level 2 of the building, so that wasn't a hassle at all. The location right by the rotary also makes it easy to find even on a first visit.

Nearly full at 11am

We got there around 11am. I figured it would still be a bit quiet before the lunch rush, but I was surprised at how many people were already there.

Almost every table was taken except for one. I knew it was usually busy, but I didn't expect it to be nearly full by 11am.

More menu variety than I expected

Looking at the menu, there was more than just pasta and pizza — sandwiches, coffee, and more — so there were more options than I expected. Good if you're going with a group and want to mix and match, and since they had set menus too, we ordered one of those.

Personally, I felt the set menus were a better deal than ordering items separately, so if you're visiting with a few people, it's worth checking the sets first.

The vibe inside, and baby chairs

The atmosphere was nice too. The ceilings are high and the windows are large, so even with a lot of people in, it didn't feel cramped. Overall it was bright and pleasant.

They also had baby chairs ready, so it looked like a fine place to eat with a little one too.

The coffee bean disclosure caught my eye

I don't usually expect much from coffee at a restaurant, but they had a bean roasting date disclosure posted, showing when the beans were roasted — a sign they actually care about that side of things. And the coffee itself was good, with a nice aroma.

Set 3: Italian Pasta Wood-Fired Pizza Set for Two

That day we ordered Set 3, the Italian Pasta Wood-Fired Pizza Set for Two, plus one extra pasta.

• Arugula ricotta cheese pizza
• Carbonara pasta
• Arugula arrabbiata pasta

The portions were plenty for three people. The arugula ricotta cheese pizza lived up to its name, with a generous amount of arugula piled on top. I personally love arugula, so I was happy, and it was lovely and fragrant paired with the ricotta cheese.

Carbonara vs. arugula arrabbiata

We ordered carbonara and arugula arrabbiata for the pastas, and neither felt short on sauce. There was also a good amount of ingredients like bacon mixed in, so it wasn't just noodles — you actually got to bite into stuff along with the pasta. Of everything I ate that day, the arugula arrabbiata was my favorite. The spicy kick typical of arrabbiata kept it from feeling heavy, and it suited my taste better than the carbonara. So if I go back, I'll probably order the arrabbiata again.

My mom said the Withwich avocado sandwich was really good, so next time I want to try that too.

Blue Ribbon-listed, but still feels like a neighborhood spot

I heard Withwich made it onto the Blue Ribbon Survey list. Personally, I don't think you should raise your expectations just because of the Blue Ribbon label — it feels more like the kind of place that comes to mind when you're just looking for a comfortable neighborhood meal.

The location is easy to spot and parking on basement level 2 makes it convenient to get to. It's also a plus that the menu covers pasta and pizza as well as sandwiches and coffee. And judging by how nearly full it was even around 11am that day, it seems like a place people visit regularly.

If you're after pasta or pizza in Gu-wol-dong, Withwich is worth a visit. If I had to pick just one dish from that day, it's the arugula arrabbiata pasta, no question. :) Withwich is worth keeping on your list when you're deciding between pasta, pizza, or sandwiches in Gu-wol-dong.